The sobering fact is heart disease accounts for the majority of deaths among older Boston terriers. This is commonly due to a genetic predisposition toward valve deterioration and can be often be heard as a heart murmur during your dog's annual exam.
Diarrhea usually is a sign that something is bothering the dogâs gastrointestinal tract. Some cases of diarrhea are caused by minor digestive distractions, such as when dogs eat people food or get into the garbage. Diarrhea can also be caused by more serious problems, like poisoning or systemic disease. Diarrhea can come on quickly, be severe and then go away. It also can happen gradually and last for a long time. Affected dogs often are nauseous and have intestinal cramping and pain.
The double-stranded, wheel-shaped rotavirus causes inflammation of the intestines and in severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls. It is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in dogs. And although it can be seen in dogs at any age, puppies are more prone to rotavirus infections, especially those less than 12 weeks old. Cats are also susceptible to rotavirus infections. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.